Subtitle Edit
Don’t want to install Subtitle Edit? Drop the file here.
The first 20 minutes of any recording are transcribed free: a recording up to 20 minutes transcribes in full, a longer one is previewed, and a pack from $6 (500 minutes) transcribes the rest and opens every export, and credits never expire.
Free open-source subtitle editor with broad format support.
Best for fansubbers and professionals who need precise subtitle timing across many file formats. Pricing: free.
What it is
Subtitle Edit is the free Swiss-army knife of subtitle editing — supports 200+ subtitle formats, OCR, waveform-driven timing, and many translation engines.
Watch out for: Windows-first; macOS / Linux builds rely on Mono / Wine in some configurations.
Install / use
nikse.dk/subtitleedit
What people actually do with Subtitle Edit-style transcription
The tool is the means. These are the jobs — each one priced at published rates, each one wired up on its own page.
Features
| Speaker diarization | No |
| Word-level timestamps | No |
| Streaming / real-time | No |
| Languages supported | 35 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Subtitle Edit vs Whipscribe
| Feature | Subtitle Edit | Whipscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Desktop apps | Transcription APIs |
| Pricing | free | $6–$24 one-time packs (credits never expire) · first 20 minutes free |
| Speaker identification | — | Named in the summary, key quotes and chapters |
| Word timestamps | — | Yes |
| Streaming | — | No |
| Languages | 35 | 99 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to Subtitle Edit
Frequently asked about Subtitle Edit
Is Subtitle Edit free?
Yes. Subtitle Edit is free.
Does Subtitle Edit work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
Subtitle Edit runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
How do I get started with Subtitle Edit?
There is nothing to install — Subtitle Edit is used in the browser. Create an account on the vendor's site and upload or connect your audio.
How many languages does Subtitle Edit support?
Subtitle Edit lists 35 languages.
Does Subtitle Edit identify different speakers?
No. Subtitle Edit does not label speakers; a conversation comes back as one continuous text. If you need speaker labels, that is a separate tool or a different service.
Does Subtitle Edit give word-level timestamps?
No — Subtitle Edit produces segment or sentence timing only, so subtitle cues can land mid-word.
Can Subtitle Edit transcribe live audio?
No — Subtitle Edit works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is Subtitle Edit HIPAA compliant?
Subtitle Edit does not claim HIPAA compliance. For PHI, run it on infrastructure you control or choose a service that will sign a BAA.
What are the limitations of Subtitle Edit?
Windows-first; macOS / Linux builds rely on Mono / Wine in some configurations.
Who is Subtitle Edit best for?
Fansubbers and professionals who need precise subtitle timing across many file formats.
Does Subtitle Edit run offline?
Subtitle Edit runs on your own machine as a desktop app. Check whether the model runs locally or calls a cloud service — some desktop tools do both.
Can I use Subtitle Edit in the browser?
No — Subtitle Edit is a Windows, macOS and Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Who makes Subtitle Edit?
Subtitle Edit is made by Nikse.
What kind of tool is Subtitle Edit?
In this directory Subtitle Edit is filed under captions as a desktop app.
What are the alternatives to Subtitle Edit?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/subtitle-edit-alternatives comparing Subtitle Edit with the closest tools in the same category on price, platform and features.
Whipscribe is a hosted transcription service. If you want transcripts without running infrastructure, paste a URL or drop a file in the form below — you'll have a transcript in seconds.
Transcribe your recordings
Using Subtitle Edit today? Send your next recording here and compare the transcript. Transcribe any language, any recording · Transcription services from $0.29 an hour · Transcribe from any meeting or recording platform · How to transcribe, step by step
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Need the subtitle file itself?
Upload the recording or paste a link and download SRT or VTT: see the SRT file generator, SRT subtitles from a YouTube link and subtitles for any video.
Rather have it done for you?
Free tools cost setup time. When you want a finished transcript instead: see the best transcription services side by side, the cheapest way to transcribe an hour of audio and transcription services from $6.